Amish Heritage: Quilted Hills, #2

By Bev Haynes and Jewel Adams

Book 2 of the Quilted Hills Series

Some say Paradise Wells' Amish are too progressive. Cell phones, selling online, and yet, they are steeped in historical lore.

Newlywed healer--a Braucherei, and midwife, Miriam Miller and her husband, Levi struggle with her healing activities in the community. Levi finds he is better with his horses than his wife's unpredictable schedule.

Amid stolen horses, births, and healings will their love conquer all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bev Haynes
• Release date: Sep 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393750826

Bev Haynes

Bev Haynes and Jewel Adams, best friends for over 20 years, began co-authoring an Amish Romance series in 2018.  As of 2022, they live only doors apart and can now write together in the wilds of Wyoming! They hope you enjoy reading this series as much as they enjoyed creating it for you. More books in the Quilted Hills Series to come!

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Miriam Lapp swayed back and forth in the wicker rocker on the front porch of her family home. She fled the well-wishers who filled the large house. The funeral for her grandmother, Sadie Lapp, concluded three hours ago and still the members of their district hung around. Go home. Go home. The words resonated through her mind as she willed the people away. Yes, they were giving their kindness, but Miriam needed the space to think without worrying about someone coming to her and derailing her thoughts.

Miriam reached under the neckline of her dress and pulled out the healing bag her grandmother gave her, moments before she died. The woman took it from around her neck and placed it on Miriam's. From the time she was a toddler, the old woman worked with Miriam, teaching her about healing, and herbs. The last thing to happen, Mammi said, was when she passed on, Miriam became the keeper of the necklace, which she would always wear, never was it to be removed from her until she passed it on herself.

Miriam helped Mammi make a new leather strap last year, keeping the worn one in place while putting the new one through the bone circles at each side of the bag. Once the leather was secure, Miriam snipped the old strip, folded it, and placed it in the wooden box her grandmother took from her ancient hope chest. In the box were many straps indicating many generations of healers in her family.

The small bag felt more substantial to her somehow. Was it actually? Or was it the weight of the knowledge she soon had to fill Mammi’s shoes?

The thoughts overwhelmed her. Was she ready for this? Miriam sighed, stood, and walked to the door to enter the living room. Fear and trepidation were for another day. Today, she was the Braucherei.

CHAPTER 1

Levi Miller unhooked his trotting horse from the buggy inside the large barn. He’d returned from his ride through three districts checking out horses for sale.

Last month, Levi sold two beautiful standardbred horses he’d trained, getting them up to speed on the racetrack between the barn and the back-fence line, preparing them to pull a cart and to both trot and pace in the Amish chariot races held in Pennsylvania. He needed at least two more horses to begin training. Building his herd took time and much study.

Coming from a family of farmers, Levi enjoyed working with animals more than growing crops. After completing his eighth-grade education, he worked two years with his father on the farm, but his heart was not in it. He spoke to the Bishop and to his father to gain permission to work with Jeremiah Schmidt on his horse ranch which was twenty miles to the west of Paradise Wells.

Levi lived behind Jeremiah's house in the dawdi haus and ate meals with the Schmidt family as payment for his work. He stayed with the family for five years until he turned twenty-one.

Meeting Miriam Lapp again at her sister's shop over two years ago, they courted one year and married a year later. Levi smiled as he finished brushing down his horse, Luca. The time was getting on to late afternoon and in October, evening came earlier than it had during the long days of summer. He smelled the dried leaves under the trees and smiled. The busy summer was ending. He breathed deeply and noted onion and spices in the air.

Anxiously, he put up the brush and left the horse stall, bringing down the wooden latch to secure the horse for the night. Married for only a year, Levi could hardly wait to give his bride a big hug and a kiss. He asked her to go along today, but she served so many customers at the store this time of the year, and she didn’t want to lose sales. The store belonged to her sister, Ruby, but Miriam ran it for her. Ruby had her hands full running the farm stay.

As he closed the barn doors, Levi heard a horse and buggy approach at a breakneck speed. What in the world? The racket was close, but no one came toward the barn, which he thought odd. Stripping off his leather work gloves, he ran his hand through his bowl cut black hair. Something didn’t feel right, and his stomach squeezed nervously thinking of Miriam alone in the house.

Stepping more quickly, Levi was halfway to the house when he saw an open buggy racing down the narrow road in front of his home. The horse and buggy threw dirt in the air, but he could tell Miriam was with the man. They rounded the corner, and he lost sight of them.

Levi rushed into the house to see if there had been a disruption or some sign of who had been there, but nothing. A stew sat on the propane-powered stove. The fire was off, so Miriam had the sense to do that, but why did she take off with the man?

The only reason he could come up with was, his wife Miriam was the area healer woman and midwife. The Braucherei.

Levi watched the sun flood the field with color. Where are you, my love? He pushed off the porch rail. Miriam has been gone for two days. Not a word.

Levi walked to clear away some of his anger and fear, but it did not help. He did not like the emotions which flooded his senses over Miriam. What if she was hurt?  This was his biggest concern. He hoped Ruby held some answers.

"Levi, you two have been married for over a year. You understand how some of these midwife calls go. Boppli come in their own time."

"Jah, but I should know where she is. Miriam always tells me if a little one is near, so I do not worry."

"I agree with you. Somehow this is different. Sit down and have a cup of kaffe with me. Have you eaten breakfast? There are a few slices of bacon left, and I can scramble some eggs."

"Jah, fantastic, I am hungry."

Ruby went to the gas-powered refrigerator and took out the leftover bacon and three eggs. Just relax. I am sure Miriam will be home soon, and you will hear the full story of what happened. These are just experiences you will have to get used to, Levi. She broke the eggs into a bowl and whipped them with a fork, then poured them into the hot pan.

I worry about her. Her kind heart keeps her from thinking through her actions. He paced while Ruby cooked. What if she doesn’t come home soon? How long should I wait?

Ruby plated up the food and pointed to a chair at the large table in the middle of her kitchen. I am not sure what to tell you. I would wait until the afternoon to tell Bishop Eischler. Oh! Levi! I can call her number on my cell phone. I am sure the bishop would let you buy one since Miriam travels a distance at times. If she faced a problem, she could call you. Why did you not called her from your phone shanty?

Ruby caught him looking down at the floor. The skin between his eyebrows pulled into a frown. "Because I do not have her number. I was angry she had the phone. I threw the piece of paper away.

Levi! You should not have done that. What if she needed you and cannot contact you at the shanty?

Just as she said this, her phone rang. The sound of wind chimes reverberated behind her apron in the dress pocket. Setting the plate in front of Levi, she answered, Troyer Farm Stay. This is Ruby.

Ruby touched Levi’s shoulder to get his attention. Then pointing to the phone, she mouthed Miriam. She pulled the phone away from her ear and pressed the screen to allow speakerphone. Miriam, Levi is here with me. You are on speakerphone, so both of us can hear your voice. Where are you? Levi has been so worried.

Miriam spoke slowly, I’m over in the district to the west of ours with the Miller family. Mrs. Miller just had twin daughters. It was a struggle to get everyone through it all. I was calling to have you contact Levi, but I can hear it is not necessary.

Levi broke into the conversation. You are gone too long, Miriam. Why did you not tell me where you were going and for how long? I worry about you.

Levi, I left you a note on the table. Didn’t you find it?

"Nee. I saw nothing, but I will look for it. When will you come home?"

It shouldn’t be too much longer. I’m waiting for Mr. Miller to bring me back. I believe all of us are worn down to nubs, Levi. I’m sorry you did not find my note, but the man was in a dreadful hurry to get me to his wife. If he had not come so soon, I fear we would have lost all three of them.

I will come and pick you up, where is this place?

After Miriam gave the details, Ruby remembered Levi had walked here, just over a mile from his and Miriam’s horse ranch. I’ll let Levi take my buggy, and he can bring it and the horse back home with him tomorrow. Let's get you home for some rest.

CHAPTER 2

Levi traveled over two hours from Paradise Wells. It was a long distance his Miriam had gone. Was there no midwife for this district?

Following the directions given to him before he left, he saw the turn. It was barely a path with weeds overgrown and deep ruts. It did not appear the landowner took care of the property. It was not very Amish. The plain people took great care in their properties.

Wondering how to find the house through the dense foliage, he was lost until the horse stepped through an opening and before him, stood a dilapidated house.  It was large, which was the only thing it had going for it. He’d seen shacks in better repair. Miriam had been called to this place? It did